Kent-based R Swain & Sons has joined Palletline, in a move which sees the haulier replace Castledene Transport, which has left to pursue new business opportunities from corporate customers.
Announcing the news, Palletline said the transition has been “practically seamless”, thanks to Aylesford-based Castledene Transport and R Swain & Sons working closely together to ensure continuity of service.
The handover has seen R Swain & Sons take on elements of fleet and drivers, while integrating the customer base into its Rochester operation.
Glenn Baker, Palletline Group chief operating officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome R Swain & Sons to the Palletline network.
“They are a highly respected operator with a long history in UK logistics, and their scale, infrastructure and commitment to service make them an excellent fit for our member-owned network.
“At the same time, we would like to thank Castledene Transport for its many years of service and loyalty to Palletline.
“The team has been extremely supportive throughout the transition period, working closely with all parties to ensure continuity for customers.”
R Swain & Sons’ Rochester site, which has extensive warehousing and cross-docking facilities, will become a Palletline hub.
Palletline said initial volumes have already doubled, with nightly trunk movements to the Rochester hub now running between two-and-a-half and three trunks per night.
R Swain & Sons, which was founded in 1926, remains the cornerstone of the wider Swain Group, which is made up of nine specialist divisions operating from12 sites across the UK. The company said it employs around 580 people and is generating annual revenues of around £93m–94m.
While pallet network distribution has historically formed a relatively small part of the business, David Emslie, who leads business development across the group, said the opportunity for growth is significant.
He said: “We are probably not the typical business you would immediately associate with pallet network distribution, given the number of markets and specialisms we operate in, but RSSL is where the business began in 1926, and palletised freight sits very naturally alongside our general haulage activity.”
He added that the timing of the opportunity was key. “We were already running significant network volumes in the South East and had the capacity in Rochester to expand.
“When I was approached by Glenn Baker, it was simply the next natural step for the business.”
Having already doubled pallet volumes in the first weeks of joining the network, the company plans to invest in dedicated sales resource to grow its presence across the ME postcode area.
The focus will be on customers seeking integrated logistics solutions combining pallet network distribution with full loads, warehousing and specialist services.
“We haven’t joined to just sit on our hands,” Emslie continued. “This is an area which presents an opportunity for growth not only within our established markets — construction,retail, publishing and packaging — but also in new vertical sectors where customers are looking for a genuine one-stop-shop logistics partner.”
The Swain Group supports customers across construction, infrastructure, renewable energy, publishing, retail, agriculture and container logistics.
Emslie said the decision to join Palletline was influenced by the network’s long-standing reputation within the UK pallet sector.
“Palletline was there at the very beginning of pallet networks in the UK and remains at the forefront of that market with its 100% member-owned and multi-hub model.
“We are delighted to become part of such an exciting and progressive network,” he said.
Castledene Transport, which is based in Aylesford in Kent, was founded in 1979. The family-run firm operates a fleet of 40 vehicles.
Matt Clarke, Castledene Transport operations director, confirmed the company’s departure this week and said it marks the beginning of a significant chapter for the business.
“We have decided to leave Palletline. It’s a confident & exciting step forward for us,” he said.
“We’re building on nearly five decades of success, and this move frees us up to focus our energy on our artic fleet and the new and growing areas of our business.”
